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Does Dave Gettleman want Cam Newton to leave in free agency?

Does Dave Gettleman want Cam Newton to leave in free agency?
The Panthers have indicated that they will pick up the 5th year
option on Cam Newton which leaves him in Carolina
through the 2015 season.

Gettleman didn't glow with praise of Cam Newton when he took
the general manager job of the Carolina Panthers. Many expected the Carolina
Panthers to sign Cam Newton to a long term during this offseason. The
team IS salary cap strapped but there are ways around that if they want to
resign him.

It would have been in Cam Newton's best interest financially
to sign a long term deal now to get that guaranteed money rolling in just in
case he gets hurt. Newton
already is missing most of this offseason after having ankle surgery.

It could be that either Cam
isn't sure he wants to stay a Carolina Panther. It may also be that Dave
Gettleman wants Cam Newton to leave as a free agent so he can get rid of him
without trading him. He can simply state that Newton outgrew the salary cap and let him
ride off into the sunset.

Clearly the Panthers have not cared about giving Cam Newton
much help on the offense. I do love the defense that the team has built but
what is the point in having a franchise quarterback with a cruddy offense.

Now the release of Steve Smith may have actually been liked
by Cam Newton. He may be tired of 89's constant chirping for the ball. But to
have Cam Newton playing behind a patchwork offensive line and with a new
receiving unit does not show much support for their franchise quarterback.

If the team does load up on offensive linemen and wide receivers
in the draft, then maybe Cam will be more
interested in staying with the Carolina Panthers. Of course he is a Panther
through 2015 and can be franchise tagged beyond that which would be very
expensive.

Don't worry about Charlotte
not being big enough for Cam Newton. Peyton Manning made a fortune in
endorsements while playing in a small market. If the team looks like a winner
with a good offense around him then Newton
will want to stay a Panther.